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Coleton Fishacre
A 1920s country retreat complete with tropical garden by the sea
Brownstone Road, Kingswear, Devon, TQ6 0EQ
Important notice
The house at Coleton Fishacre will be closed from Monday 28 October 2024 due to unscheduled but essential roof and loft space works. We hope to reopen the house by the end of November. In the meantime the shop, café and garden are open as usual.
Opening times for 31 October 2024
Asset Opening time Coleton Fishacre house Closed Garden 10:30 - 17:00 Café Coleton 10:30 - 17:00 Shop 10:30 - 17:00 MTWTFSS3012345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031123OpenPartially openClosedWhole property
Ticket type Gift aid Standard Adult £16.50 £15.00 Child £8.30 £7.50 Family £41.30 £37.50 Family 1 adult + 2 children £24.80 £22.50 Group Adult £14.25 Group Child £7.15 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
Assistance dogs only
Assistance dogs only in house. Dogs on leads welcome in garden, shop and café
Dogs allowed
Dogs on leads welcome in garden, shop and café. Assistance dogs only in house
Bookshop
Second-hand bookshop in Seemly Hut, located in the garden on Seemly Terrace
Plant shop
Café
Café Coleton with indoor and outdoor seating. Kiosk serving ice cream in summer
Shop
Car park
Please limit your stay to three hours for the benefit of other visitors. Overflow car park is available, plus additional coastal car parks within walking distance.
Toilet
Blue Badge parking and drop-off point. Poor phone signal. Accessible toilets. Some steep routes. Ground floor of house accessible. Lockers for large bags available.
Accessible route and/or map
Grounds are partly accessible, steep slopes, narrow paths. Map of accessible route available
Level access to shop
Shop situated in main courtyard near Visitor Reception with level access
Accessible toilet
Adapted toilets next to visitor reception
Ramped access/slopes
Designated parking
There are accessible parking spaces in our main car park. The main car park has gravel surface
Seating available
Drop-off point
Drop-off available at Reception, if required
Steps/uneven terrain
Induction loop
Transfer available
Electric car transport available between main car park and overflow car park.
Level access to food outlet
Café situated in main courtyard near Visitor Reception with level access.
Wheelchairs available
Two manual wheelchairs are available to use free of charge, if you know you will need one please call us in advance on 01803 843235 to book one as they are very popular
By road
3 miles from Kingswear: take Lower Ferry road, turn right at toll house. 6 miles from Brixham, take A3022 to Kingswear, turn left at toll house. Narrow and busy approach lane, reversing required - especially around busiest time of 1 - 2.30pm
Parking: For visitors to house and garden only. Parking charges: £1.10 per hour, max 3 hours stay. Free for members (please show membership card upon arrival and display car sticker). Mobility parking adjacent to Visitor Reception, overflow parking on busy days approximately 300 yards.
On foot
South West Coast Path within ¾ mile. Access from the Coast Path to Coleton Fishacre through gate at the bottom of the garden (only accessible when Coleton Fishacre is open). Please proceed to Visitor Reception on your arrival.
By train
Paignton 8 miles; Kingswear (Dartmouth Steam Railway and Riverboat Company) 2¼ miles by footpath, 2¾ miles by road. Restricted service - please check with operator for current timetables.
By bus
Restricted services from Paignton (Stagecoach 120 bus route) or Brixham (Stagecoach 18A bus route) to Kingswear: alight ¾ mile south-west of Hillhead, 1½ miles walk to entrance along the country lane (steep and narrow in places). Please check with Stagecoach for current timetables.
By bicycle
Bicycle rack located at the back of Coleton Fishacre property office. Ask one of the team in visitor reception to show you the way.
By ferry
from Dartmouth take the Lower Ferry to Kingswear and follow road directions (3 miles)
Planning your visit
Christmas at Coleton Fishacre
Join Dottie and Doyle the Dalmation puppies on an outdoor trail, inspired by the family's dog Patch, as they search for Father Christmas. Inside, foliage fresh from the garden adorns twinkling rooms as the house is dressed for a traditional 1920s Christmas.
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Visiting Coleton Fishacre with your dog
Coleton Fishacre is a three pawprint rated place. We love dogs and welcome you to visit with your dog. Find out where you can walk with your four-legged friend at Coleton Fishacre and what facilities are available.
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Group visits to Coleton Fishacre
Coleton Fishacre is the perfect place to bring a group. Whether it’s for a coach party, school group or if you’re looking for somewhere to go with a large group, we can help.
Highlights
House
1920s country retreat of the D'Oyly Carte family. Arts and Crafts exterior, Art Deco interiors, servants quarters, sea views.
Garden
RHS-accredited coastal valley garden. Exotic plants, herbaceous borders and sea views. Bordered by woodland and wildflowers.
Scout point
Views over the rugged coast towards Kingswear and the Mewstone, an outcrop of rocks popular with seabirds and seals.
Estate
Access to South West Coast Path from the bottom of the garden. Routes to Froward Point, Coleton Camp and beaches.
Pudcombe Cove
Look down from the coast path to Pudcombe Cove, with 1920s tidal pool and changing rooms. The cove isn't accessible.
Café Coleton
Light and airy café serving hot and cold drinks, cakes, ice cream and light lunches. Indoor and covered outdoor seating.
Shop
Gifts, local produce and gardening accessories. Seasonal plants in the courtyard. Pre-loved gardening books in Seemly Hut.
Spotlight events
Christmas at Coleton Fishacre
This year let the traditional decorations at Coleton Fishacre fill your heart with cheer. With fresh greenery straight from the garden and the twinkle of fairylights, the house is invitingly cosy this winter. Outside, explore the winter garden on a fun-filled family trails as Dottie and Doyle the Dalmation puppies go on a Christmas adventure.
Things to see and do
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Things to do in the house at Coleton Fishacre
Step inside the 1920s country home of the D’Oyly Carte family where Art Deco features, sea views and light and airy designs create an intimate atmosphere.
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Visiting the garden at Coleton Fishacre
With a climate as mild as South Cornwall, exotic and tender plants thrive in the garden at Coleton Fishacre. From formal terraces to woodland, the garden is varied and filled with year-round interest, and RHS accredited.
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Family-friendly things to do at Coleton Fishacre
Discover a host of activities at Coleton Fishacre to keep the whole family entertained and help you create memories together. What adventures will you have next?
Eating and shopping
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Eating and shopping at Coleton Fishacre
A visit to Coleton Fishacre would not be complete without browsing the National Trust Shop or picking up a tasty treat from Café Coleton.
Top trails
Trail
Coleton Fishacre circular walk via Coleton Camp
Enjoy views of rugged coastline via viewing points in lush woodland on this walk at Coleton Fishacre in Devon.
Trail
125th anniversary trail
This accessible walk in Coleton Fishacre garden takes in the best of everything: viewpoints of the terraced garden, woodland paths and stretching sea views.
Outdoor activities
Trail
Coleton Fishacre Ranger Run
Coleton Fishacre Ranger Run takes in dramatic coastal scenery, some tough terrain and interesting built cultural history. This 9km trail run follows the edge of Coleton Fishacre estate along the South West Coast Path.
Places to stay
The Chauffeur's Flat
A getaway for two in the gardens of Coleton Fishacre on the South Devon coast.
1 Coleton Barton
A tucked-away cottage encompassed by rolling farmland, just a short walk to Coleton Fishacre.
2 Coleton Barton
A white-washed cottage set within the grounds of Coleton Fishacre on the Kingswear Peninsula.
Higher Brownstone Farm
A recently refurbished former farmhouse, set within the grounds of Coleton Fishacre.
Crockers Cottage
A quiet Devon countryside stay with the gardens of Coleton Fishacre close by.
Compass Cottage
A cosy, quiet cottage in the woodland just behind Dartmouth Castle with glorious views of the River Dart, perfect for a peaceful, relaxing break.
Greenway Ferry Cottage
A riverside cottage complete with rose climbing walls and a contemporary interior.
Greenway Apartment
Stay in Agatha Christie’s former holiday home where you’ll be treated to views of the Dart Estuary.
Upcoming events
Event
Monthly guided walk from Coleton Camp
Join one of the Walking Volunteers for a guided walk on the first Friday of every month.
Event
Little Acorns welly walks at Coleton Fishacre
Come along and join in a free Little Acorns sessions for under 5’s at Coleton Fishacre this autumn.
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Christmas at Coleton Fishacre
Gather loved ones for a festive day out this Christmas at Coleton Fishacre.
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New Year's Day
Start your new year off with a visit to Coleton Fishacre, from a wander around the winter garden to soaking up the last of the Christmas decorations.
Event
National Lottery Open Week, 15-23 March 2025
To say thank you to the Lottery players who have made so much of our conservation work possible, we’re taking part in the National Lottery Open Week. Just present your lottery ticket or scratch card to explore Coleton Fishacre for free.
About Coleton Fishacre
At the country home of the D'Oyly Carte family you can travel back in time to the Jazz Age.
This most evocative of country homes was built in the Arts & Crafts style, and is imbued with Art Deco elegance. A light, joyful atmosphere fills the rooms, and music plays, echoing the family's Gilbert and Sullivan connections. You can get an insight into 1920s life 'upstairs and downstairs' from the glamorous Saloon and the airy servants' rooms.
In the RHS accredited garden viewpoints give enticing glimpses out to sea, paths weave through glades past tranquil ponds, and tender plants from the Mediterranean, South Africa and New Zealand thrive in the moist and sheltered valley.
Coleton Fishacre received a bronze award for large visitor attraction of the year at the 2014 Visit Devon Awards, as well as two silver awards at the English Riviera and South Devon Tourism and Hospitality Awards.
History
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The history of Coleton Fishacre
Find out about the D'Oyly Carte family and the history of their country home, Coleton Fishacre. Discover how the perfect spot was chosen while sailing their yacht.
Art and collections
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Five curious collection items at Coleton Fishacre
Discover five curious collection pieces from the house at Coleton Fishacre. Learn about each item and how it was used in the home.
Support us
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Volunteering at Coleton Fishacre
There are lots of different ways to volunteer at the Coleton Fishacre in the English Riviera. Find out about the different volunteer roles and how you can get involved.